Fluid control device

ABSTRACT

A fluid control device for use in a pressurized control system for shutting in a gas well automatically when pressure deviates from preset limits or for shutting in the well manually when desired. The control device comprises a body having a bore therein, said bore being divided into first, second and third chambers with an exhaust port in the first chamber. A pressure supply line is connected to the second chamber and an outlet is connected to the first chamber. A pilot pressure line, connected to the third chamber, is arranged to actuate a plunger through a diaphragm upon pressure deviation in a flow line. The plunger may also be actuated manually. When the exhaust port is closed the outlet is pressurized to maintain a valve in a flow line in an open position. When the exhaust port is open the outlet is connected to exhaust causing the valve in the flow line to be closed, thereby shutting in the well.

United States Patent '3,610,284

[72] Inventor Larry K. Spencer 2,377,176 5/1945 Petroe l37/l02 X Dallas, Tex. 2,906,246 9/1959 Di Tirro et a]. .1 l37/46l X 1 p 869,681 FOREIGN PATENTS ggf 32: 2 13:? 515,128 2/1955 ltaly 137/5251 I 9 [73] Assignee Sigma Enterprises, Inc. Primary Examiner-M. Cary Nelson Dallas, Tex. Assistant ExaminerRobert J. Miller Attorneys-Howard E. Moore and Gerald G. Crutsinger [54] FLUID CONTROL DEVICE 11 Chims, 11 Drawing Figs ABSTRACT: A fluid control device for use in a pressurized control system for shuttmg 1n a gas well automat1cally when [52] U.S. Cl .l37/625.66, pressure deviates from Preset limits or for Shumng in the we" 137/458, 137/625-27 manually when desired. The control device comprises a body [5]] Int. Cl ..F16k 17/00, having a bore therein i bore being divided into first F161 11/02 second and third chambers with an exhaust port in the first [50] Field of Search 137/495, chamber A pressure Supply line is connected to the Second 498,460, 46l,463,484.6, 486, 624.27, 625.66. chamber and an outlet is connected to the first chamber. A 1021625271458 pilot pressure line, connected to the third chamber, is arranged to actuate a plunger through a diaphragm upon pres- [56] References Cited sure deviation in a flow line. The plunger may also be actuated UNITED STATES PATENTS manually. When the exhaust port is closed the outlet is pres- 571,708 ll/l896 Thompson 137/5251 surized to maintain a valve in a flow line in an open position. 2,067,622 1/1937 Smith 137/461 X When the exhaust port is open the outlet is connected to ex- 2,354,608 7/1944 Orshansky,Jr. 137/102 haust causing the valve in the flow line to be closed, thereby 2,355,758 8/1944 Stevens [37/102 shutting in the well.

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A770 NEYS FLUID CONTROL DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Pressure-actuated safety valves are often employed in gas flow lines to shut in a gas well. However, heretofore the systems employed for actuating the safety valves have been unduly complicated, slow to operate, and accidental reactivation during times of emergency have not been uncommon.

Heretofore installations involved several devices manifolded together, creating a complex control system subject to accidental failure. The complex pneumatic system required intricate adjustments which resulted in excessive maintenance and installation costs and reduced safety factors.

The complex systems heretofore employed were slow to relieve supply pressure to safety valves because large volumes of fluid were slowly bled from control lines at a point remote to the valve which was to be actuated.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION I have developed a fluid control device which is connectable between a pressure actuated safety valve and a source of supply pressure. The control device may also be connected to a pilot control in the flow line if it is deemed expedient to do so.

The control device is a low-pressure fluid-operated'actuator, designed to simplify and speed the operation of automatic shut down systems. The control device is adapted to operate either automatically or manually and may be easily incorporated into many pilot control systems.

The fluid control device is very simple to operate requiring a push to close or a pull to open. Simple operation is quite important in cases of emergency and particularly in situations when persons are too excited to think clearly.

The flow control device is full opening and provides a free flow of supply fluid to and from the safety valve. The flow device, when in the closed position, requires a deliberate effort to put the safety system back into operation and reduces the possibility of accidental reactivation of the system.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a fluid control device having high dependability which is simple to operate.

Another object of the invention is to provide a flow control device which requires deliberate action to reactivate a system.

A further object of the invention is to provide a flow control device having full opening capability to quickly bleed pressurized fluid from a control system.

A further object of the invention is to provide a flow control device which can be operated automatically when pressure in a fluid flow line deviates from a preset condition or which may be actuated manually or mechanically, if desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fluid control device which is completely sealed against invasion of contaminates from outside.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a fluid control device which may be employed with several individual systems to close several flow lines simultaneously.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a fluid control device which is capable of installation in existing pneumatic control systems to simplify the existing systems while increasing the control capabilities of said systems.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a fluid control device of simple inexpensive construction making use thereof economically feasible.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent upon referring to the description hereinafter following and by referring to the drawings annexed hereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Drawings of a suitable embodiment of the invention are annexed hereto so that the invention may be better and more fully understood, in which:

FIG. I is a schematic view of the control device connected to a plurality of gas wells;

FIG. II is a cross-sectional view through the control device, said device being in the closed position;

FIG. III is a cross-sectional view through the control device similar to FIG. II, said control device being in the open position;

FIG. IV is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-lV of FIG. II;

FIG. V is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. III;

FIG. VI is a perspective view of the plunger removed from the body of the flow control device;

FIG. VII is a perspective view of the exhaust deflector removed from the flow control device;

FIG. VIII is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. II;

FIG. IX is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view through the pilot control valve;

FIG. X is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view through the pressure actuated safety valve; and

FIG. XI is a partially sectionalized view of a modified fonn of the invention.

Numeral references are employed to designate like parts throughout the various figures of the drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. I of the drawing, the numeral 1 generally designates a fluid flow control device operably connected to an actuator 2 of safety valve 4 disposed in an outlet passage 6 of a conventional Christmas tree 8 positioned about a well opening. A conventional pressure gauge 10 is employed in conjunction with Christmas tree 8 to indicate the well pressure.

A valve 12 in outlet passage 6 functions as a choke for regulating the flow of fluid through flow line 14. A pilot control valve 16 is disposed of fluid communication with the inside of flow line 14, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

Conduit 18 connects outlet port 20 of flow control device 1 with port 3 of actuator 2. Conduit 22 connects control port 24 of control device 1 with port 17 of pilot control valve 16.

Supply line 26 extends from inlet port 28 of flow control device 1 to a suitable source of pressurized fluid, such as separator 30 or an external source (not shown), through suitable pressure regulating devices, such as orifice 32.

It should be readily apparent that supply line 26 may be connected to a plurality of flow control devices I in conjunction with a plurality of sources of fluid, such as Christmas trees 8. Suitable safety and control apparatus, such as liquid level control device 34, pressure control device 36, fusible plug 38 and master control valve 39 may be employed in conjunction with supply line 26 as deemed necessary to provide versatility and safety features required in a specific application.

As best illustrated in FIGS. II-VIII of the drawing, flow control device 1 comprises a body 40 having a bore 42 disposed therein. Bore 42 is divided into first, second and third pressure chambers designated by the numerals 44, 46 and 48, respectively. The first chamber 44 is separated from the second chamber 46 by an annular shoulder 50 having an opening 52 extending, therethrough, forming a valve seat as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

The second chamber 46 and the third chamber 48 are separated by an impervious resilient diaphragm 54 secured to plunger 75.

The body 40 comprises an upper segment 56, an intermediate segment 58 and a lower segment 60 secured together by suitable means such as threaded bolts 62.

The upper segment 56 of the body 40 has an aperture 65 extending therethrough to form an exhaust port in the body. A deforrnible exhaust deflector 66 (FIG. Vll) has an opening 68 extending through a central portion thereof with elongated slots 70 extending outwardly therefrom. Exhaust deflector 66 has openings 72 through which bolts 62 extend. The exhaust deflector 66 is positioned between the upper segment 56 andthe intermediate segment 58 of body 40, as illustrated in FIG. II, to seal the space between said upper and intermediate segments of the body.

It should be noted that the slotted portion of the exhaust deflector 66 extends across aperture 65 to seal said aperture against invasion of contaminates from the outside of body 40.

A plunger 75, best illustrated in FIG. VI, slidably disposed in bore 42, comprises a stem 76 rigidly secured to the upper end of a valve member 78 which is secured to downwardly extending portion 80, having a reduced portion 82 on the lower end thereof.

Diaphragm 54 has an opening through a central portion thereof through which reduced portion 82 of plunger 75 extends (FIG. Il). Seal means 84 is disposed between the lower edge of shoulder 81, at the upper end of reduced portion 82 of plunger75, and the upper surface of diaphragm 54. A washer 86 is urged into engagement with the lower surface of diaphragm 54 by a nut 88 threadedly secured to reduced portion 82.

Suitable means for urging plunger 75 downwardly, such as spring 90, is disposed between the lower edge of shoulder 50 in bore 42 and the upper surface of diaphragm 54.

Suitable seal means, such as resilient gasket 92, is positioned between the lower edge of valve member 78 and the upper surface of shoulder 50 in bore 42 to prevent fluid flow through aperture 52 when the plunger 75 is in the position illustrated in FIG. II of the drawing.

When plunger 75 is moved upwardly, best illustrated in FIG. III of the drawing, the upper surface of valve member 78 engages the lower surface of exhaust deflector 66, preventing fluid flow from the first chamber 44 through aperture 65.

Referring to FIGS. V and VI of the drawing, it should be noted that valve member 78 on plunger 75 is hexagon shaped to form guide members 94 in sliding engagement with the wall of bore 42 with passages 96 formed therebetween.

F onning plunger 78, as illustrated in FIG VI, of the drawing, reduces the effective horizontal area acted upon by fluid pressure in first chamber 44, thereby reducing the upwardly directed force on plunger 75 which is equal to the fluid pressure in chamber 44 times the area of the horizontal surface acted upon. Passages 96 also provide a relatively large total effective area providing a full exhaust capability to quickly actuate valve 4. It should be appreciated that other noncircular shapes, such as triangular, would provide automatic centering of the valve member 78 in bore 42 and full exhaust capability.

A passage 97 extends upwardly through the reduced portion 82 in the downward portion 80 of plunger 75 into transverse passage 98 which extends through valve member 78. The lower end of passage 97 is closed by a threaded plug 97a and an orifice 100 connects passage 97 with the third pressure chamber 48.

Outlet passage 20, having conduit 18 threadedly secured therein, extends through the wall of the intermediate segment 58 of body 40 into first pressure chamber 44. Inlet orifice 28, having supply line 26 threadedly secured therein is in fluid communication with the second pressure chamber 46 between seat 50 and diaphragm 54. Control port 24, having control conduit 22 threadedly secured therein, extends through the lower segment 60 of body 40 and is in fluid communication with the third pressure chamber 48 below diaphragm 54.

It should be noted that orifice I is of much smaller crosssectional area than control line 22, conduits 18 and 26, or passages 97 and 98.

Suitable actuating means, such as handle 74 is secured to the upper end of stem 76 of plunger 75, through which force may be exerted for shifting plunger 75 longitudinally through bore 42.

Referring to FIG. IX of the drawing, the pilot control valve 16 is of conventional design arranged to exhaust pressure from control conduit 22 when pressure in flow line 14 deviates from a predetermined pressure range. Pressure in flow line 14 exerts a force upon piston 16a slidably disposed in pilot control valve 16. Springs 16b and 160 are adjusted to exert a predetermined force against the force exerted by pressure in flow line 14 to prevent movement of the plunger 16a until pressure increases or decreases from the desired pressure range. As piston 16a moves, toggle valve 16d is moved from its seat causing pressure in control conduit 22 to be exhausted through exhaust port 16c.

Pilot control valves of the type generally designated by the numeral 16 are well known to those having ordinary skill in the art and further description thereof is not deemed necessary.

Referring to FIG. X of the drawing, actuator 2 has a plunger 20 threadedly secured to a stem 2b which is slidably disposed through the actuator. A gate 2c, having an opening 2d extending therethrough, is secured to the lower end of stem 2b and is arranged to open and close passage 2e through the body of valve 4. A spring 2f urges plunger 20 upwardly and pressure through conduit 18 and port 3 exerts a downward force on plunger 2a tending to compress the spring 2f. It should be readily apparent that when sufficient pressure is exerted through conduit 18, plunger 2a will be maintained in a down position, causing opening 2d in gate 2c to be aligned with opening 2e in the body of the valve. When the pressure in conduit 18 is sufficiently reduced, plunger 2a moves upwardly closing passage 2e.

Actuator 2 and valve 4 illustrated in FIG. X of the drawing are well known to persons having ordinary skill in the art and further discussion thereof is not deemed necessary.

Referring to FIG. XI of the drawing, plunger 75a is slidably disposed in a bore in body la which is of identical construction to that illustrated in FIGS. II and III of the drawing. A solenoid 74a is secured to the upper end of flow control device 1 and is arranged to exert electromagnetic force on the core 764 secured to the upper end of plunger 750. It should be readily apparent that when electric power is connected to conductors 74b and 74c force will be exerted on plunger 75a to move valve member 78 in the first pressure chamber 44.

When valve member78 is in the position illustrated in FIGS. II and XI of the drawing, fluid pressure through opening 68 and slots 70 in exhaust deflector 66 passes through opening 74e (FIG XI) to atmosphere.

OPERATION The operation of the fluid control device hereinbefore described is as follows:

The flow control device 1 is normally in the closed position illustrated in FIG. ll of the drawing because spring urges plunger 75 downwardly.

To place the system in operation pressure is applied through supply line 26 and plunger 75 is manually or mechanically pulled upwardly to the position illustrated in FIG. III of the drawing, to connect supply line 26 through the second pressure chamber 46, opening 52, first pressure chamber 44, outlet port 20, conduit 18, and port 3 to energize actuator 2 to hold valve 4 in the open position.

Pressure from the first pressure chamber 44 is directed through passage 98, passage 97, orifice to the third pressure chamber 48. The third pressure chamber is connected through port 24, control line 22, port 17 to pilot control valve 16 which is arranged to hold pressure in control line 22 until plunger 16a is actuated, at which time pressure in control line 22 will be exhausted through exhaust port 16e.

When plunger 75 is in the position illustrated in FIG. III of the drawing, under normal operating conditions, pressure in chambers 44, 46 and 48 is equal; and spring 90 exerts a downward force on plunger 75 which is smaller in magnitude than the upward force which is computed by the pressure times area of the lower surface of valve member 78.

Plunger 75 is in the normal operating position in FIG. III of the drawing, which is the position it occupies for maintaining valve 4 in the open position.

Plunger 75 may be moved to the down position illustrated in FIG. II of the drawing by three separate and distinct conditrons.

First, plunger 75 may be manually or mechanically pushed downwardly, by exerting a force on the upper end of handle 74 or by energizing solenoid 740.

Second, plunger 75 may be moved downwardly by a reduction of supply pressure through supply line 26 which causes the bias of spring 90 to overcome the upwardly directed force which is equal to the pressure times the area of the lower surface of valve element 78.

Third, reduction of the pressure in the third chamber 48, resulting from a variation in the pressure flow line 14 causing pilot control valve 16 to trip, exhausting control line 22 through exhaust port 162. This results in a pressure reduction at a rate exceeding the flow capacity of orifice 100, causing pressure in the second chamber 46 to move plunger 75 downwardly.

When plunger 75 is moved to the closed position illustrated in FIG. H of the drawing it should be noted that the area of diaphragm 54 upon which pressure in chamber 46 is acting exceeds the area on the lower surface of valve member 78 upon which pressure can act through opening 52. The difference in area upon which the pressure in chamber 46 acts, in combination with the bias of spring 90, causes plunger 75 to remain in the position illustrated in FIG. ll until plunger 75 is pulled upwardly by an external force which is a deliberate operation, making accidental reactivation of the system almost impossible.

it should be noted that when plunger 75 is in the position illustrated in FIG. [I of the drawing, pressure through supply line 26 is contained in chamber 46. Pressure in conduit 18 is exhausted through passages 96, around hexagon-shaped valve member 78, and from the first chamber 44, through slots 70 in the exhaust deflector 66, through exhaust port 65 to atmosphere. Pressure in control line 22 and third chamber 48 will be slowly exhausted through orifice 100, passage 97, passage 98, passage 96, to first chamber 44 and out through exhaust port 65 to atmosphere.

Plunger 75 of flow control device 1 may be actuated automatically by pilot control valve 16 or by other automatic exhaust devices such as fusible plug 38 in supply line 26. Plunger 75 may be shifted manually to a position illustrated in FIG. II by applying a downward force on handle 74 or by manually actuating master control valve 39 to exhaust supply line 26 causing plunger 75 in control device 1 to trip.

it should be appreciated that the pressure in the supply source 30 is not exhausted to atmosphere.

From the foregoing it should be readily apparent that the flow control device 1 provides structure which accomplishes the objects of the invention hereinbefore enumerated, and that other embodiments may be devised without departing from the basic concept of my invention.

Having described my invention 1 claim:

1. A fluid control device comprising, a body having a bore therein, said bore being divided into first, second and third chambers with an exhaust port in fluid communication with said first chamber, said body having a first port in fluid communication with the first chamber, a second port in fluid communication with the second chamber, and a third port in fluid communication with the third chamber; a seat between the first and second chambers; an impervious deformible divider between the second and third chambers; a plunger movable in said bore, said plunger being operably connected to said divider; valve means on said plunger arranged to move between a first position closing the exhaust port and a second position in sealing relation with the seat between the first and second chambers; a passage between the first and third chamber; and means to move the valve means between the first and second positions.

2. The combination called for in claim 1 with the addition of means to bias the valve means to the second position.

3. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the means to move the plunger is a handle.

4. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the means to move the plunger is a solenoid.

5. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the valve means is noncircular and has surfaces in sliding engagement with the sides of the first chamber and surfaces disposed in spaced relation from said sides of the first chamber.

6. The combination called for in claim 5 wherein the passage between the first and third chambers extends through the plunger and through the surface of the valve means which is spaced from the side of the first chamber.

7. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the passage between the first and third chambers extends longitudinally through the plunger.

8. The combination called for in claim 1 with the addition of a fluid flow restrictor in the passage.

9. The combination called for in claim 1 with the addition of a deformible exhaust deflector across the exhaust port.

10. A flow control device comprising a body having a passage therein with an exhaust port between the passage and the outside of the body; a valve seat in the passage adjacent the exhaust port; valve means in the body movable from a first position in sealing engagement with the said seat adjacent the exhaust port to a second position opening the exhaust port; a deformible exhaust deflector across the exhaust port, said exhaust deflector comprising a resilient member having an opening therein with a plurality of slots extending outwardly from said opening, said deflector being arranged to allow passage of fluid therethrough when the exhaust port is open and to prevent entry of contaminates into said port from outside the body; actuating means outside of the valve body; and connector means connected between the said actuating means and the valve means in the body, said connector extending through the opening in the exhaust deflector.

11. In a fluid control device, a body having a bore therein, said bore being divided into first, second and third chambers with an exhaust port in fluid communication with said first chamber, said body having a first port in fluid communication with the first chamber, a second port in fluid communication with the second chamber, and the third port in fluid communication with the third chamber; a valve seat between the first and second chambers; an impervious divider between the second and third chambers, said divider being movable relative to the bore; a plunger movable in said bore; means to operably connect the plunger to said divider; noncircular valve means on said plunger arranged to move between a first position closing the exhaust port and a second position in sealing relation with the seat between the first and second chambers; surfaces on said valve means in sliding engagement with sides of the first chamber; surfaces on said valve means disposed in spaced apart relation from the sides of the first chamber; a passage extending through the plunger and through the surface in the valve means which is spaced from the side of the first chamber, said passage providing fluid communication between the first and third chambers; and means to move the valve means between the first and second positions. 

1. A fluid control device comprising, a body having a bore therein, said bore being divided into first, second and third chambers with an exhaust port in fluid communication with said first chamber, said body having a first port in fluid communication with the first chamber, a second port in fluid communication with the second chamber, and a third port in fluid communication with the third chamber; a seat between the first and second chambers; an impervious deformible divider between the second and third chambers; a plunger movable in said bore, said plunger being operably connected to said divider; valve means on said plunger arranged to move between a first position closing the exhaust port and a second position in sealing relation with the seat between the first and second chambers; a passage between the first and third chamber; and means to move the valve means between the first and second positions.
 2. The combination called for in claim 1 with the addition of means to bias the valve means to the second position.
 3. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the means to move the plunger is a handle.
 4. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the means to move the plunger is a solenoid.
 5. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the valve means is noncircular and has surfaces in sliding engagement with the sides of the first chamber and surfaces disposed in spaced relation from said sides of the first chamber.
 6. The combination called for in claim 5 wherein the passage between the first and third chambers extends through the plunger and through the surface of the valve means which is spaced from the side of the first chamber.
 7. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the passage between the first and third chambers extends longitudinally through the plunger.
 8. The combination called for in claim 1 with the addition of a fluid flow restrictor in the passage.
 9. The combination called for in claim 1 with the addition of a deformible exhaust deflector across the exhaust port.
 10. A flow control device comprising a body having a passage therein with an exhaust port between the passage and the outside of the body; a valve seat in the passage adjacent the exhaust port; valve means in the body movable from a first position in sealing engagement with the said seat adjacent the exhaust port to a second position opening the exhaust port; a deformible exhaust deflector across the exhaust port, said exhaust deflector comprising a resilient member having an opening therein with a plurality of slots extending outwardly from said opening, said deflector being arranged to allow passage of fluid therethrough when the exhaust port is open and to prevent entry of contaminates into said port from outside the body; actuating means outside of the valve body; and connector means connected between the said actuating means and the valve means in the body, said connector extending through the opening in the exhaust deflector.
 11. In a fluid control device, a body having a bore therein, said bore being divided into first, second and third chambers with an exhaust port in fluid communication with said first chamber, said body having a first port in fluid communication with the first chamber, a second port in fluid communication with the second chamber, and the third port in fluid communication with the third chamber; a valve seat between the first and second chambers; an impervious divider between the second and third chambers, said divider being movable relative to the bore; a plunger movable in said bore; means to operably connect the plunger to said divider; noncircular valve means on said plunger arranged to move between a first position closing the exhaust port and a second position in sealing relation with the seat between the first and second chambers; surfaces on said valve means in sliding engagement with sides of the first chamber; surfaces on said valve means disposed in spaced apart relation from the sides of the first chamber; a passage extending through the plunger and through the surface in the valve means which is spaced from the side of the first chamber, said passage providing fluid communication between the first and third chambers; and means to move the valve means between the first and second positions. 